Seminar: Isabel Dastvan on UMBC's Invasive Species Plan
Creeping onto Campus
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 · 12 - 1 PM
This past live event was recorded on WebEx and can be viewed here.
The GES Department cordially invites you to join us for the next seminar of Spring 2023, presented by our department's own alum, Isabel "Bella" Dastvan! The seminar will be hybrid, and attendees may join online via the WebEx link or in-person in Sondheim 001.
Topic: Developing an Invasive Species Management Plan for UMBC’s Campus
Speaker: Isabel "Bella" Dastvan,
SEI Climate Corps Sustainability Fellow, UMBC Office of Sustainability
Email: idastva1@umbc.edu
Abstract: Invasive species, invasive plants and insects specifically, are a threat to the forested areas on UMBC’s campus. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, invasive species are “non-native species whose introduction does or is likely to cause ecological or economic harm, or is a threat to human health.” Invasive species can outcompete native species for natural resources (including water, light, nutrients, space), disrupt the food chain, draw pollinators away from native plants, have the potential to push rare species closer to extinction, and cause an overall reduction in biodiversity. Biodiversity is necessary for functioning and resilient ecosystems in the face of climate disruption. The forests on campus need to be protected and managed effectively from the threat of invasive species. A management plan is needed in order to effectively and efficiently address areas of concern on campus to protect these natural resources.
Speaker Bio: Isabel "Bella" Dastvan ('22) is a GES alum who is currently working in the Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) Climate Corps program as a Sustainability Fellow in the UMBC Office of Sustainability. Bella is developing an invasive species management plan for campus which includes but is not limited to the land use history of UMBC, existing site conditions, goals and objectives, management priorities, monitoring practices, and best management practices for target invasive species. Bella has many interests including horticulture, sustainable agriculture, and forest conservation. She was recently published as a leading author in an aquaponics research project on cut flower production during her time working at Grateful Gardeners, an organic sustainable flower farm. Some fun facts about Bella: she loves spending time hiking outdoors, playing piano and guitar, singing, and songwriting.